Sewer-flooding-control apparatus



April 7, 1931. w. E. HARpAcKER ET AL 1,799,849

SEWER FLOODING CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 10, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS WILL/AM E. HARDAOKER EDWARD L. HEssEL. s fiwetiqm A "r-romvzyg.

w. E. HARDACKER ET AL 1,799,849

SEWER FLOODING CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 10, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 2 mm on n TC NA ED m WM. 0 I E m m 3 0 M O W 5 I W" I 7 M 3I. 8 H L M. 8 5 H- O 1 I W 5 M 7 2 m 0 F oz 6 z 3 I l6 4 .2 a 4 27 m 7 5ii. v I I H l r 7 7 +1 1i 5 5 o e a a u 4M. o 3 W 4 EDWARD LHESSELA'r-ronwcys April 7, 1931.

April 1 1931- w. E. HARDAC'KER ET AL ,799,849

SEWER FLOODING CONTROL APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 10, 1930v 4Sheets-Sheet 5 I/II V Ill/IA:

1N VENToRs WILLIAM E. HARDACKER EDWARD 1.. H5555.

ATTORNEY5 April 7, 1931. r W E. HARDACKER ET AL 1,799,349

SEWER FLOODING CON TROL APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 10, 19so 4Sheets-Shee t SIDE 7 DRAIN lDE w;

1/0 1 SUPPLY (4 Flx-runssloz DRAIN SIDE INVENTORS WILLIAM E.HAFTDACHEREDWARD L. HESSEL 4 TT NEE.

Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM E. HARDACKERAND EDWARD I4. HESSEL, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA; SAID EDWARD L. HESSELASSIGNOR TO CAROLINE I-IESSEL, OI MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA SEWER-FLOODING-CONTROL AEPABA'IUS Application filed January 10, 1930, Serial No. 419,944. Renewed May 31, 1930.

This invention relates to improvements in means for preventing back-upflooding from sewer drain pipes, and has for its principal object toprovide means automatically operable, as the result of backup rise inthe sewer, to prevent ejection of the sewer contents from a plurality ofsewer drain pipes into the basement.

This invention is an improvement over our prior invention for sewerflooding control apparatus disclosed in a copending application filedMay 6th, 1929, and bearing Serial Number 360,820. The presentapplication has certain features in common with those disclosed in thecopending application, but the main object of the present invention isto provide means for simultaneously preventing improper ejectment ofsewer contents from a plurality of drain pipes. The means is controlledfrom a master control apparatus so that when the master control closesits valve, valves in the other drain pipes are likewise simultaneouslyclosed, and when the master valve is open, the other valves arecorrespondingly simultaneously opened. This is a very valuable featureof the invention and has found practical application in large buildings,whereinany drains are used.

All details of construction are claimed, along with that feature of theinvention which relates to the control by a master valve of a series orplurality of similar valves, each controlling back-up in a separatesewer drain pipe.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention'will appear from thedescription of the drawings, forming a part of this application, and insaid drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation illustrating the masterapparatus;

Figure 2 is a vertical section substantially on line 22 of Figures 1 and3;

Figure 3 is a plan view corresponding to the structure of Figures 1 and2;

Figure 4: is a vertical section on line 44 of Figure 1, illustrating thevalve structure showing the valve (which controls entrance of fluid toraise the piston) open;

Figure 5 is a detail vertical section on line 55 of Figure 1 showing thedrain valve which controls fluid egress from the lower end of thecylinder; 1

Figure 6 is a horizontal section on line 66 of Figure 1, showing detailsof the pipe connection which establishes communication between the drainpipe and float chamber;

Figure 7 is a vertical section on line 7-7 of Figure 2 illustrating theconnections of the valve-operating means at the valve side;

Figure 8 is a vertical section on line 88 of Figure 1 illustrating theconnection of the valve-operating means at the float side Figure 9 is asection showing details of construction of one of the movable valveelements;

Figure 10 is a schematic view illustrating the liquid fiow through thepipes of the master drain valve control means; and

Figure 11 is a schematic view illustrating the arrangement forcontrolling a plurality of valves by the master control valve.

Numeral 1 designates a pipe, as part of a sewage or drainage system. Thepipe has avertical portion, the open upper or receiving end '2 of whichlies below a grating3, arranged in the floor 4: of the basement. Numeral5 indicates the casing of a gate valve forming a part of the pipe line 1and including the gate valve seat 6, gate 7 and stem 8.

A feature of the invention is the assembly or unit, now to be described,by which the gate valve structure forms a support for, and is connectedwith, the cylinder. Referring now to Figure 2, the stem8 passesvertically through a casting 9 which is secured to the casing 5 by meansgenerally indicated at 10. The stem 8 passes through a stuffing box 11carried by the casing 9. Suitably secured upon the casing 9, as by meansgenerally indicated at 12, see Figure 1, is a cage-like cast ing 13.This casting, which serves as a cylinder head, provides passages 14-15which communicate with a cylinder 17 which cylinder has its lower endsuitably sealingly fitted in circular groove 18 of the casing 13. Thecylinder is closed at the top by a head 20 which has a groove 21receiving the upper end of the cylinder, which upper end is sealinglyfitted in the groove. The elements 13 and are suitably bored to receivethe tie rods 22, see Figures 1 and 3, which clamp the parts together influid-tight relation.

The cap plate 20 has passages -26 communicating with the cylinder. Tothe upper end of the rod 8 is attached the piston head 30, theconnection being threaded. A guide rod 31 has a threaded connection withthe upper side of the piston, and this rod extends I; through a stuffingbox 32 of the cylinder head 20 to project at the outside of thecylinder. The rod 31 may be utilized as a means for operating the valvefor controlling the city water supply to a toilet flush valve (notshown) so that when the valve 7 is closed, no additional quantity ofsewage can be introduced through the toilet or other waste pipes duringthe flood period and when the gate valve 7 is closed. Any suitableconnecl tion may be made between the guide rod 31 and the valve. It willbe understood that the unit including the casing 5 and elements 9-13,cylinder 17 and cap 20 can be very conveniently applied in the line asshown in Figure 1, and this unit is a. feature of the scribed in ourcopending application, and as shown diagrammatically in Figure 11 of thepresent application.

The condition of the system in Figure 10 corresponds to that of Figure11, that is in both it is assumed that a back-up pressure has operatedthe float to move the valves to a position to admit fluid above thepiston, and it is assumed that the piston has just begun its downwardtravel to close the gate 7.

The general arrangement of the pressure pipes and valves for controllingthe flow to opposite sides of the piston is best shown in Figure 10. Thehouse water supply pipe or other pressure pipe line is shown at and thispipe has branches respectively indicated at 36-37 which deliver intoopposite ends of the cylinder 17. Branch pipes 38-39 respectively leadfrom pipes 36-37 and communicate with a common waste water pipe 40 whichis arranged to deliver into a certain connection (later to be described)which establishes communication between the pipe 1 and the float chamberto flush the connec tion, under pressure, and thus prevent plugging bythe drain pipe contents. Interposed in the branches 36-37 are valvesrespectively designated 41-42, and in branches 38 and 39 are valvesrespectively designated 3 and 44. The connecting points of branches38-39, with lines 36-37 are made between the valves 41-42 and thecylinder.

Referring to Figure 7, it will be noted that the valves 41-42 have theirstems -51 adjustably connected by a common operating element 52.Likewise the stems 53-54 respectively of the valves 43-44 are adjustablyconnected to a common operating element 56. The valves 4l42, see Figure11, control fluid supply to the top and bottom of the cylinder 30. Thevalves 43-44 when open obtain a drain flow of water underpressure fromthe top or bottom of the cylinders. The valves are so arranged that whenvalve 41 is open, water under pressure is delivered to the top of thecylinder, and at this time the drain or waste valve 43 is closed, whilethe drain valve 44 is open to permit egress of water from the bottom ofthe cylinder, so that the piston moves downwardly to close the gatevalve 7. Then the gate valve is closed, and it is desired to open thesame, drain valve 43 is opened, drain valve 44 is closed, pressure valve41 is closed and pressure valve 42 is open allowing water under pressureto be delivered to the cylinder beneath the piston, and allowing escapeof the water from above the piston.

The valves are so arranged that the fluid pressure is applied in amanner to assist in holding them closed, and in a manner to assist inshifting them either to open or closed position. This is not a featureof the present invention but should be explained. The pressure deliveryis at the point indicated and in the direction of the arrow 60, seeFigures 4 and 5. With the delivery at this point and after the valvesstart to move in either direction, the pressure assists in furthermovement and after movement in one direction is completed, the pressureacts to maintain the valve at that limit of motion.

Means is also provided to operate the four valves just described in amanner to obtain the proper movements of the piston respectively to openand close the valve 7, and to maintain it at either limit position.vThis means includes, in this instance, a float operable device, seeFigure 1, and mechanical devices connecting the float with the cylindercontrol valves to properly manipulate them for the purposes mentioned.The device in cludes a closed receptacle having a float 71 freelymovable therein. The float has a rod 72 passing through a suitable guide73 attached to the cover '74. The pressure backup connection isgenerally indicated at 76 and is extended upwardly to and communicateswith the float casing 7 O, and communicates at its opposite end with thepipe 1 on the sewer side of the valve 7 see Figure (3.

When sufficient pressure, as the result of backup liquid or gas, hasbeen set up, the float will be raised and also the rod 72.

Now referring to Figure 8: Adjustably secured upon the rod 72 is aconnector in cluding two bars 78 suitably connected to a collar 79 inturn held in position by a set screw 80, see also Figure 1. By thismeans, the link connector can be adjusted lengthwise of the red. Aforked structure 81, see Figure 1, is connected by means of'screws 82 tothe lower ends of the bars 78 and this forked structure is connected bymeans of a suitable device 83. to a lever 84. Referring now to Figure 7:The lever 84: is pivoted as at 85 to the connector 56 and its terminalis forked as at 86, and this fork engages over a pin 87 carried by theconnector 52.

Means is thus provided so that when the float rises from the positionshown in Figure 1, the first part of the upward movement results in theclosing of the waste valve 43 and the opening of the waste valve 44L(see Figure 11) preparatory to application of pressure to force thepiston downwardly to close valve 7, which pressure is applied by theopening of valve 41 and closure of valve 42. The pressure flow is now indirection of the full line arrows of the diagram, Figure 11. The pistondescends and also the gate valve. The valve is maintained in its closedposition until pressure is released sufficiently for the float 71 tofall, which coresponds to the termination of the flood periodi It willbe noted that the float rod 72 is hollow and is open to the atmosphereto vent the float chamber through openings 75. It will be further notedthat the float chamber 71 is open at its bottom and that a liquid andgas seal is maintained. The pipe 76 is extended into the chamber 7 O andabove its bottom so that seal-water is always provided, for the floatwhen in lowermost position.

As the float descends the pressure control valves are manipulated toopen the waste valve 43, close waste valve 44, open pressure valve 12and close the pressure valve 41. The result is that pressure is thenapplied to the bottom of the cylinder by flow in direction of the dottedline arrows of Figure 11 and the piston moves upwardly to open the valve7; In practicethe pressure applied for holding the gate valve closed isanywhere from 1500 to 1600 pounds. This force is sufficient to in-.

' sure a proper and unfailing setting of the valve 7 even thoughsediment or sewer waste be in the path of valve movement.

Referring now to Figure 1: The drain pipe line l0, which, it will beremembered, is a pressure line, is arranged to force-flush theconnection 7 6 which establishes fluid communication between the drainpipe land the float chamber 70. For this purpose, the r duction end ofthe reduction-T connects with the pipe 40 so that this pipe deliversiorizontally into the corresponding portion of the connection 76. Thisconstruction is a feature ofthe invention inasmuch as it is quiteimportant to prevent clogging, and for this purpose, a flushing bypressure, as distinguished from mere gravity, is necessary. While thispressure feature is not claimed herein, it is an important feature ofthe above mentioned copending application.

Another feature, of the invention shown in Figure 6 relates to strainerpipe assembly. A T 92 receives by two of its openings the rightangularlyrelated sections of pipe 7 6, while the third opening is closed by aplug 93 within which plug is socketed and secured a tubular element 9-;which extends loosely through the pipe 76 into the, drain pipe I whereit is capped by a screen 95. That portion of the pipe 94: within the T(and which is opposed to the T opening) is perforated as shown at 96.The pressure flush water from the pipe 40 acts to remove any solidmatter which may have collected at the screen 95 and also to eject anyof the finer material which may have passed the screen 95 and collectedat openings 96. If,'for any unusual reason, the pipe perforations 96should become plugged the pipe 94 can be quickly removed, by unscrewingthe plug 93. This is a valuable feature of the invention in a device ofthis kind because as is well known, the backup water from the largersewers frequently contains sticks, pa )er and other solid material.

1 very important feature of the invention herein, has not been describedpreviously because a thorough understanding of themaster flood controlapparatus first was necessary. This feature relates to a system in whichthe master control apparatus is connected to a number of auxiliarycylinder-operated valves in such manner that these valves unfailinglyfollow the motion of the master valve, each auxiliary valve beingadapted to control a drain pipe which leads to a different sewer, andalso to control a water supply, to house fixtures to close the supplyduring flood periods.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 10 and first to Figure 2: The heads 13and 20 are respectively provided with the passages 15 and 26, and withthese passages are respectively connected the pipes 100101 (see Figure10) respectively leading to the tops and bottoms of the correspondingauxiliary cylinders which control corresponding waste pipes (or wasteand water pipes) to prevent delivery of back-up liquid into thebasement. Referring now to Figure 10, the numeral 102 indicates apressure water supply pipe. The meter is indicated at 103 and adjacentthis meter the branch connection 35 leads through the valves 414:2 tothe master cylinder 17. The pipe 100 leads from the top of the mastercylinder 17 A pipe 105 connects with the top of an auxiliary cylinder106 which has a valve adapted to control the water line 102 for thepurpose of preventing delivery of water to the portion 104 of that linewhich connects with the house fixtures, during the flood period. It willbe understood that a valve similar to 7 is operated by the cylinder 106to close the pipe 102, the valve construction in this respectsubstantially correspond ing to the unit comprising the elements 5, 9,13 and 17 with the exception of the passages 15 and 26. The passagescorresponding to 14 and 25 only being provided. The pipe 105 isconnected with a passage corresponding to passage 25 and the return pipe110 connecting the passage 14- with the pipe 101. The numeral 112indicates a drain pipe line.- A cylinder 115 has a valve (similar tothat previously described) which controls backup in drain 112. The topof the cylinder is connected by pipe 116 to pipe 100 and the bottom ofthe cylinder is connected by pipe 117 to pipe 101. Any number of valves106 or 115 may be employed to simultaneously check the flow either inwater pressure lines or in sewage lines by command of the master valve30. In this instance, a third valve is indicated at 120 and controls thebaclrup between the drain pipe 121 and the sewer pipe 122. It will beevident that when pressure is admitted to the upper part of the cylinder17 itwill be distributed to the upper portions of cylinders 106, 115 and120. On the other hand, upon reversal of the valves to admit pressure tothe lower part of the cylinder, this pressure will be simultaneouslytransmitted to the lower portion of each of cylinders 106, 115, 120. Thedrain 10 is also in communication with all cylinders so that fluidrelease or drain can be had to permit the piston to move in an oppositedirection.

Referring to Figure 10, it will be noted that valve 106 is placedbetween the water supply pipe and the house fixture 104 which issupplied by the portion 104 of the water supply pipe 102. Thus when themaster valve closes water supply to the house fixture or fixtures is cutoli". Moreover, the cylinder 106 is controlled by hydraulic connectionsfrom the master cylinder 17, that is by hydraulic connections, asdistinguished from mechanical connections, and therefore the cylinders17 and 106 or their equivalents may be placed at any distance apart. andthis distance is not limited as it would be if a mechanical connectionwas used. The same principle applies, in so far as the convenience ofconnection is concerned, to cylinders 17 and 115. A very valuablefeature of the invention is the arrangement whereby any number ofhydraulically operable devices placed at any convenient distances apartcan be controlled from a single master valve.

lVe claim as our invention:

1. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means forcontrolling the fluid delivery to opposite sides of the piston byback-up pressure in the drain pipe, a second sewer drain pipe and valvetherefor, a cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, andfluid connections between the master and the last mentioned cylinderadapted to cause the piston of said last mentioned cylinder to move incorrespondence to the motions of the piston of the master valve.

2. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means forcontrolling the delivery of fluid under pressure alternately to oppositesides of the piston and for relieving pressure on the correspondingopposite side of said piston, means for controlling the fluid deliverymeans by a back-up pressure in the drain pipe, a second sewer drainpipe, a valve for the pipe, :1 cylinder having a piston adapted tocontrol the valve, and fluid connections between the master and the lastmentioned cylinder adapted to cause the piston of said last mentionedcylinder to move in correspondence to the motions of the piston of themaster valve.

3. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe,hydraulically operable means adapted to control the valve, means forcontrolling the fluid delivery under pressure to operate said valvecontrol means by a back-up pressure in the drain pipe, a second sewerdrain pipe and valve therefor, hydraulic-ally operable means adapted tocontrol said valve, and fluid connections between the first and lastmentioned hydraulically operable valve control means, adapted to causethe motion of one to follow the corresponding motions of the other.

4:. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means forcontrolling the delivery of fluid under pressure alternately to oppositesides of the piston, means for controlling the fluid delivery means by aback-up pressure in the drain pipe, a second sewer drain pipe, acylinder and a piston operable valve for the second pipe, and fluidconnections between the master and the last mentioned cylinder wherebythe piston of said last mentioned cylinder is caused to move incorrespondence to the motions of the piston of the master valve.

5. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means forcontrollng the delivery of fluid under pressure alternately to oppositesides of the piston, means for controlling the fluid delivery means byback-up pressure in the drain pipe, a house fixture, a water pipe forfurnishing pressure to said cylinder and fiX- ture and fluid deliverymeans, a valve for thewater pipe, a cylinder having a piston adapted tocontrol said valve and placed to only control flow to the house fixture,and fluid connections between the master and last mentioned cylinderadapted to cause the pistons to move in correspondence to one another.

6. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means fordelivering and controlling the delivery of fluid under pressurealternately to opposite sides of the piston, means for controlling thefluid delivery means by back-up pressure in the drain pipe, includingfloatoperable means, a house fixture, a water pipe for furnishingpressure to said cylinder, fixture and fluid delivery means, a valve forsaid water pipe, a cylinder having a piston adapted to control saidvalve and placed to only control flow to said house fixture, and fluidconnections between the master and last mentioned cylinder adapted tocause thepistons to move in correspondence to one another.

7. A unit for the purpose described including a pipe connection having avalve, a cylinder attached to the pipe connection and having a pistonconnected to operate the valve, a fluid delivery system supported by thecylinder, and including pipes and valves arranged to deliver fluidalternately to opposite sides of the piston, and also including a Wastepipe common to both sides of the piston, certain of the valves beingadapted to control drainage under pressure from corresponding oppositesides of the piston.

8. A unit for the purpose described including a pipe connection having avalve, a cylinder attached to the pipe connection and having a pistonconnected to operate the valve, a fluid delivery system supported by thecylinder and including pipes and valves arranged to deliver fluidalternately to opposite sides of the piston and also including a wastepipe common to both sides of the piston, certain of the valves beingadapted to control drainage under pressure from corresponding oppositesides of the piston, means respectively connecting members of fluiddelivery and drain control valves and means having pivotal connectionwith said connecting means to operate the valves.

9. A system for the purpose described including a plurality of drainpipes and a water supply pipe said drain pipes lea-ding to a sewer andthe water supply pipe leading to a house fixture, a fluid-operable valveadapted to control the water pipe, a fluid-operable valve adapted tocontrol each drain pipe, one a master valve, means for operating themaster valve as the result of back-up pressure on the sewer side of thedrain, to close the valve, and fluid connections between the master andthe other drain pipe valve adapted to cause said valve to followcorresponding motions of the master valve, whereby an operation of themaster valve by back-up pressure in one sewer line, communicationbetween the sewer and the drain is cut oil' in the other drain line, andwater supply to the house fixture is interrupted. V

10. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a valve for the pipe, amaster cylinder having a piston adapted to control the valve, means fordelivering and controlling the de livery of fluid under pressurealternately to opposite sides of the piston to operate the valve, ahouse fixture, a water pipe for furnishing pressure to said cylinder,fixture and fluid delivery means, a valve for said water pipe, acylinder having a piston adapted to control said valve and placed toonly control flow to said house fixture, and flui connections betweenthe master and last mentioned cylinder adapted to cause the pistons tomove fluid delivery means, a valve for said water pipe, a cylinderhaving a piston adapted to control said valve and placed to only controlflow to said house fixture, a second sewer drain pipe, a valve for thepipe, a cylinder having a piston adapted to control said last mentionedvalve, and fluid connections between the master, and the other cylindersadapted to cause their pistons to move in correspondence to the pistonof the master valve.

12. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a fluid-operable valve forthe pipe, a house fixture, a common supply pipe for said fluid-operablevalve and said fixture, a fluidoperable valve for said supply pipeadapted to control flow to said house fixture, and fluid connectionsbetween the valves adapted to cause the last mentioned valves to move incorrespondence to the first mentioned valve and to close when the firstcloses.

13. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a manually controllablefluid operable valve for the pipe, a house fixture and pressure supplypipe therefor, a fluid-operable valve for the pressure supply pipe, andfluid connections between the valves adapted to cause the last mentionedvalve to move in correspondence to the first mentioned valve and toclose when the first is closed.

14. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a manually controllablefluid-operable valve for the pipe, a house fixture, a common supply pipefor said fluid-operable valve and said fixture, a fluid-operable valvefor said supply pipe adapted to control flow to said house fixture, andfluid connections between the valves adapted to cause the last mentionedvalves to move in correspondence to the first mentioned valve, and toclose when the first is closed.

15. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, a fluid-operable valve forthe pipe, a house fixture, a supply pipe for said fixture, afluidoperable valve for said supply pipe adapted to control flow to saidhouse fixture, a second sewer drain pipe and fluid-operable valvetherefor, and fluid connections between the valves adapted to cause thelast mentioned I valves to move in correspondence to the first mentionedvalve, and to close when the first closes.

16. In combination with a pipe, fluid operable valve for the pipe, asecond pipe having a fluid operable valve, and fluid connec tionsbetween the valves adapted to cause one valve to be moved from one tothe other of its positions when the other valve changes its position.

17. In combination with a sewer drain pipe, fluid operable valve for thepipe, a second pipe associated with the first in a plumbing system,having a fluid operable valve, and fluid connections between the valvesadapted to cause one valve to be moved from one to the other of itspositions, when the other valve changes its position.

18. In combination with a pipe, fluid operable valve for the pipe, asecond pipe associated with the first in a plumbing system,

having a fluid operable valve and fluid con nections between the valvesadapted to cause one valve to be moved from one to the other of itspositions, when the other valve changes its position, the second pipebeing connected with a house fixture for supplying water thereto and tothe first valve, and its valve being placed between said fixture and thesupply to said first valve.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 31st day ofDecember, 1929. IVILLIAM E. HARDACKER. EDVVARD L. HESSEL.

